Results 1-20 of 26,162 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regulatory Bodies (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The context here is quite simple. I always go back to the needs of older persons in nursing homes. What we saw in that programme with the residents in the nursing homes in Portlaoise and Beneavin was wanton neglect and abuse of older people. We want to look at the regulatory system and how we can improve it. All aspects will be considered. This is ultimately about improvements and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Regulatory Bodies (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy and I have engaged intensively at the health committee. I will go through the points she raised. With regard to the licensing, there is absolutely a lacuna there at the moment. Within a group of companies, the licensing inspection is on individual nursing homes and who they are run by, but the parent company is not under HIQA's remit. I want that to be changed. There is an...

Seanad: Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome the opportunity to discuss nursing homes and the care of older people with Members of the Seanad. I acknowledge the "RTÉ Investigates" programme that was broadcast on 4 June. This hard-hitting and harrowing programme highlighted a litany of poor care standards in two nursing homes, showing clear neglect and abuse of older people, namely, The Residence Portlaoise and...

Seanad: Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes.

Seanad: Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (26 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am grateful for the very good contributions of Senators. I probably will not get to every point but I want to deal with the points as raised. Senator Byrne was first up and said we had a balance in the model. Regulation is key to that, and that is why I want to strengthen the regulation in terms of HIQA to give that reassurance. She asked if funding could be provided to ensure...

Seanad: Dental Services: Motion (25 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will send a note to the Minister.

Seanad: Dental Services: Motion (25 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senators for their contributions, and particularly the Fine Gael Senators for tabling the motion and providing us the opportunity to discuss dental services and outline the Government’s priority to fundamentally reform these services over the coming years. I am taking this debate on behalf of Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. She is not opposing the motion. ...

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank all the Members. Some 40 Members spoke in this debate. People were very constructive. Like everyone else, I was shocked by the programme. It was wanton neglect and abuse. I thank the Members for their very constructive engagement. I will attempt to cover the areas that people brought up. What we saw happening on the programme was pure wanton neglect and abuse of older...

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome that.

Nursing Homes and Care for Older Persons: Statements (Resumed) (24 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy should write to me about that.

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (19 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann resolves that the Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022 be deemed to be read a second time this day twelve months, to allow the Joint Committee on Health and the Department of Health to consider matters further.". I acknowledge the intention behind this...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (19 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have been listening to the debate. If my record is correct, 11 Senators contributed. I want to acknowledge their contributions. What I heard is that Senators agree that it is important that all tenancies across the country be protected as soon as possible under the current rent increase limits that apply to rent pressure zones. This Bill provides the necessary protections for all...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Senators McCormack and Fitzpatrick. I cannot accept amendment No. 1 tabled by Sinn Féin, which appears to have the aim of introducing a ban on rent increases. The Government's firm view is that the imposition of a ban on rent increases is highly likely to be the subject of a legal challenge, would almost certainly deter continued investment in the rental accommodation market...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Which section are we on?

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator. The amendment he put forward has been ruled out of order. To give context, the omission of such exemptions from rent increases would be very difficult for landlords and for enforcement by the Residential Tenancies Board. The proposed amendment also provides for regulation-making power for the Minister to provide a compensation scheme for landlords who suffer loss as a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (19 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I thank members of the committee for the invitation to speak to you today regarding the crucial issue of standards of care in nursing homes and the oversight of these matters. I am joined today by Ms Siobhán McArdle, assistant secretary in the social care, mental health, drugs policy and unscheduled care division in the Department of Health. I am also joined...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Standards of Care, Related Practices and Oversight in Nursing Homes: Discussion (18 Jun 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputy Cahill. To address the points he raised, starting with independent oversight, HIQA representatives just attended at the committee. HIQA is carrying out a review of its processes. It has acknowledged that they need to be reviewed. In terms of further oversight, it is something we are considering in the Department. Along with the Minister, we will make a recommendation to...